Systems and methods of providing micro-renewable electrical energy

ABSTRACT

Various implementations of a system that addresses the need for clean drinking water, improved solid fuel combustion and convection of the heat resulting from the combustion, exhausting of gases and air-borne particulates resulting from combustion, and provides electricity for lighting and charging of battery-operated devices are described herein. The system may include at least one solar panel, a battery, a fan assisted exhaust hood, a fan assisted cooking device, and a water purification device. Such a device could not only save millions of lives, but the quality of life for millions of people living in impoverished areas or refugee camps could be improved dramatically.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional patent application claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/004,694, entitled “Systems andMethods of Providing Micro-Renewable Electrical Energy” and filed May29, 2014, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND

Electricity is rapidly becoming a “basic human need”. Though the powergrid is expanding across the globe, 1.4 billion people (20% of thepopulation) still do not have access to electricity. These people tendto be the poorest and live in remote locations. The costs associatedwith bringing grid power to many of these people are astronomical, andthe timeline is in multiple decades. Additionally the cost and return oninvestment (ROI) for the currently available, off-grid solutions is sopoor that it makes these projects non-starters.

In addition, every day, 3.6 billion people cook with solid fuels (e.g.,wood, coal, or dung, for example). Many of these people cook indoorswith little or no ventilation. This results in 3.5 million deaths due torespiratory illness every year. Dozens of “Improved Cookstove” programsexist, but none have had any widespread success.

Furthermore, 700 million people do not have access to safe drinkingwater. This results in 3.4 million deaths from waterborne illness everyyear. There are a myriad of initiatives across the globe to improve thesafety of drinking water. However, the majority of them involves large,expensive projects on a community scale and do not address the needs ofthe most remote and poorest people.

Thus, there is a need in the art for a device that couldcost-effectively address all three of these issues without requiringconnection to an established electrical grid.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to various implementations, a system that addresses all threeof the above issues includes at least one solar panel, a battery, a fanassisted exhaust hood, a fan assisted cooking device, and a waterpurification device. Such a system could not only save millions oflives, but the quality of life for millions of people living inimpoverished areas or refugee camps could be improved dramatically.

In various implementations, the system includes one or more solarpanels, a battery for storing electrical energy converted from solarenergy collected by the one or more solar panels, a forced draftinterior ventilation device, a variable speed, fan-assisted cookingdevice for improving combustion of solid fuel, and an ultra-violet (UV)light water purification device. In further implementations, the systemmay also include one or more outlets for charging cellular phones orpowering light emitting diode (LED) lights, a water tank, and acollapsible and expandable funnel that facilitates capturing rainwaterinto the water tank. In certain implementations, the solar panel,fan-assisted exhaust hood device, fan-assisted cooking device, and thewater purification device are configured for being disassembled anddisposed within the water tank for transportation of the system. And, insome implementations, one or more of these system components may beprovided separately or in combination with one or more of the othersystem components listed above.

Thus, by providing multiple benefits in one system, the costs associatedwith solving each individual problem are reduced. In addition, thissystem may be integrated more easily in existing households, making it amore viable solution. This system may also be helpful in disasterrecovery or refugee situations in which large populations of displacedpeople face disruption of basic services and similar health threats.

The fan assisted cooking device according to various implementationsincludes a conduit having a distal end and a proximal end, a perforatedhousing in fluid communication with the distal end of the conduit, andan electrically powered fan in fluid communication with the conduit. Thefan forces air through the conduit toward the distal end and out throughthe perforated holes defined in the housing. The housing is made of amelt-resistant material, such as a ceramic or metallic material, and isdisposed within at least a portion of the solid fuel mass beingcombusted. The air flowing through the perforated holes defined in thehousing assists with combustion of the solid fuel and convection of theheat resulting from the combustion.

Furthermore, according to certain implementations, a flexiblephotovoltaic material is disposed on at least a portion of a surface ofthe collapsible and expandable funnel, such as an inner surface. Thephotovoltaic material is configured for collecting solar energy andwater incident on the material. Thus, the funnel serves to collect solarenergy that may be converted into electrical or thermal energy on daysproviding sufficient amounts of sunlight and to collect rain water onrainy days.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative toeach other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic of a system according to oneimplementation.

FIGS. 2A through 2C illustrate an exemplary set of the system shown inFIG. 1 within and around a dwelling.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic of packaging for the system shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the fan assisted cooking deviceshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the exhaust hood shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic of the water tank, water capturing, andwater filtration system according to one implementation.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flexible photovoltaic material disposed on an innersurface of a collapsible and expandable funnel according to oneimplementation.

FIG. 8A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the conduit in FIG. 4 astaken along the A-A line.

FIG. 8B illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the conduit inFIG. 4 as taken along the C-C line.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a U or C-shaped housingaccording to one implementation.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a D-shaped housing accordingto one implementation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various implementations of a system that addresses the need for cleandrinking water, improved solid fuel combustion and convection of theheat resulting from the combustion, exhausting of gases and air-borneparticulates resulting from combustion, and provides electricity forlighting and charging of battery-operated devices are described herein.The system may include at least one solar panel, a battery, a fanassisted exhaust hood, a fan assisted cooking device, and a waterpurification device. Such a device could not only save millions oflives, but the quality of life for millions of people living inimpoverished areas or refugee camps could be improved dramatically.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic of an exemplary implementation of thesystem. The system 10 includes two solar panels 12 a, 12 b, a battery 13for storing electrical energy converted from solar energy collected bythe solar panels 12 a, 12 b, a forced draft interior ventilation device14, a variable speed, fan-assisted cooking device 15 for improvingcombustion of solid fuel and convection of the heat resulting from thecombustion, and a water purification device 16. In addition, the system10 includes an outlet strip 17 for charging battery operated devices(e.g., cellular phones) or powering light emitting diode (LED) lights,for example, a water tank 18, and a collapsible funnel 19 thatfacilitates capturing rainwater into the water tank 18.

According to various implementations, the solar panels 12 a, 12 b mayprovide about 1 to 1600 watts of power. For example, in certainimplementations, the solar panels 12 a, 12 b are about 80 to about 200watt solar panels and may be monocrystalline or polycrystalline. Forexample, a Grape Solar 105-Watt monocrystalline PV solar panel (e.g.,http://www.homedepot.com/p/Grape-Solar-105-Watt-Monocrystalline-PV-Solar-Panel-for-RV-s-Boats-and-12-Volt-Systems-GS-S-105-Fab8/202960004)or a Grape Solar GS STAR 100W polycrystalline solar panel may be used(e.g.,http://www.amazon.com/Grape-Solar-GS-STAR-100W-Polycrystalline-100-watt/dp/B00CAVMMMG/ref=st_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1401367207&sr=8-4&keywords=100+watt+solar+panel).Furthermore, the solar panels 12 a, 12 b may be modular, and the amountof power may be increased or decreased by adding or removing panels fromthe support structure. For example, three solar panels providing 200watts each may be included on the support structure to provide about 600watts total, according to one implementation.

Solar energy captured by the solar panels 12 a, 12 b is converted toelectrical energy and is stored in the battery 13 for immediate orfuture use to power interior lighting, the charging of battery operateddevices, the fans for the ventilation device 14 and/or the cookingdevice 15, and/or the water purification device 16.

The battery 13 may be a 12 VDC lead-acid, deep cycle, typical car sizedbattery (24-29M), rated for between 60-100 amp hours to be mounted on oradjacent to the solar panel mounts. For example, the battery may includea DieHard or similar brand battery such as the battery shown inhttp://www.sears.com/diehard-marine-deep-cycle-rv-battery-group-size-24m/p-02827494000P?prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=G4.For example, in one such implementation, the system may also include acharge controller (not shown) between the solar panels 12 a, 12 b andthe battery 13. Other types of batteries having a different voltage maybe used in other implementations.

The forced draft interior ventilation device 14 is mounted above acooking area to assist with removing gases and air-borne particulatesthat result from solid fuel combustion. In the implementation shown inFIG. 5, the device 14 includes a collapsible, frusto-conical shaped hood31, an elbow-shaped conduit 32, a fan conduit 33 having an internallymounted, electrically powered fan 38, a power cord 34 for supplyingpower to the fan 38, flexible conduit 35, and mounting hardware 37 formounting the conduits 33, 35 above the cooking area. The hood 31 has aninlet end 39 and an outlet end 40. The inlet end 39 has a largerdiameter than the outlet end 40 and is disposed closer to the cookingarea. For example, the inlet end 39 may have a diameter of about 24-40inches, and the outlet end 40 may have an outer diameter of about 4-10inches. The outlet end 40 is connected with one end of the elbow-shapedconduit 32, which may have an inner diameter of about 6 inches tosecurely receive the outlet end 40. Connected to the other end of theelbow-shaped conduit 32 is the fan conduit 33 with the internallymounted fan 38. The power cord 34 is connected to the fan 38 to supplypower to the fan 38. The other end of the conduit is connected to aproximal end of the flexible conduit 35. The flexible conduit 35 may bebent to extend toward an external wall of the dwelling, for example. Adistal end of the flexible conduit 35 includes wall penetration conduitportion 36. At least a portion of the wall penetration conduit portion36 is disposed outside the dwelling to allow the exhaust captured by thehood 31 to be exhausted to outside of the dwelling. The wall penetrationconduit portion 36 may be separately formed and attached to the distalend of the flexible conduit 35 or it may be integrally formed with theflexible conduit 35. In the implementation shown, the conduits 32, 33,35, hood 31, and wall penetration conduit portion 36 may be made ofaluminum, galvanized steel, or other suitable material. The fan 38 maybe a 12 VDC fan that is internally mounted within the conduit 33. Thecomponents of the device 14 may include any components suitable forheating, ventilation, and air conditioning use and may include, forexample, the Master Flow 6 inch, 90 degree round adjustable elbow andthe Master Flow 6 inch diameter, 96 inch long, aluminum flex pipe (seee.g.,http://www.homedepot.com/p/Master-Flow-6-in-90-Degree-Round-Adjustable-Elbow-B90E6/100062966andhttp://www.homedepot.com/p/Master-Flow-6-in-x-96-in-Aluminum-Flex-Pipe-AF6X96/203612840).

In another implementation (not shown), the fan may be disposed externalto the conduit 33, such as in a separate housing, but be in fluidcommunication with the hood 31.

In addition, the flexible conduit 35 may be sufficiently long orcombined with more than one section of flexible conduit to reach fromthe fan conduit 33 to the outside wall of the dwelling. For example, inone implementation, sections of conduit that are about 15 feet long areused for the flexible conduit 35. Lastly, the wall penetration conduitportion 36 may further include a rain hood, such as a beveled endportion 41, to prevent rain from running into the dwelling through thedevice 14. The mounting hardware 37 may include straps, wire, and eyehooks, such as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2C.

FIG. 4 illustrates a variable speed, fan-assisted cooking device 15 forimproving combustion of solid fuel and convection of the heat resultingfrom the combustion according to one implementation. In variousimplementations, the device 15 is configured for being selectivelyinserted and removed from adjacent the area in which the solid fuel isto be or is being combusted, and it is not necessary to attach thedevice 15 to (or adjacent to) the combustion area. This flexibilityallows the device 15 to be used in various types of combustion areas.For example, the device 15 may be used on existing surfaces and stovesfor which solid fuel is combusted for cooking or providing thermalenergy.

The implementation of the device 15 shown in FIG. 4 includes a housing26 in which a fan or impeller 29 with a variable speed controller isdisposed, a power cord 27 for supplying power to the controller, aflexible conduit 25, an insulated handle 23 defining a conduit throughwhich air may flow, a heat-resistant conduit 21, and a perforatedconduit 22 made of a heat-resistant material. The housing 26 includesthe variable speed controller (not shown separately), the fan 29, and aninlet 28 for receiving air into the housing 26. A proximal end of theflexible conduit 25 is attached to the housing 26, and a distal end ofthe flexible conduit 25 is attached to a proximal end of the insulatedhandle 23. A distal end of the insulated handle 23 is attached to aproximal end of the heat-resistant conduit 21, and a distal end of theheat-resistant conduit 21 is attached to an inlet of the perforatedconduit 22.

The perforated conduit 22 shown in FIG. 4 is ring, or annular, shapedand defines a plurality of holes 75 through which air flows out of theconduit 22. The holes 75 may be defined on an upper surface 72, a lowersurface 73, and/or inner 74 or outer radial side surfaces 76 of theconduit 22. For example, in the implementation shown in FIGS. 4, 8A, and8B, the inner radial side surface 74 is shown as having an upperquadrant I and a lower quadrant II. The upper quadrant I is defined asthe portion of the inner radial side surface 74 that extends between theintersection of the A-A line with the upper surface 72 and theintersection of the inner radial side surface 74 with plane C-C, whichbisects the conduit 22 between the upper 72 and lower surfaces 73through the inner 74 and outer radial side surfaces 76. The lowerquadrant II is defined as the portion of the inner radial side surface74 that extends between the intersection of the A-A line and the lowersurface 73 and the intersection of the inner radial side surface 74 andplane C-C. In the implementation shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, holes 75 aare defined through the upper quadrant I, and holes 75 b are definedthrough the lower quadrant II. The holes 75 a defined in the upperquadrant I may be disposed at an angle Θ of about 0° to about 90°between the A-A line and the C-C plane, such as, for example, betweenabout 30° to about 60°. And, holes 75 b defined in the lower quadrant IImay be disposed at an angle α of about 0° to about 90° relative to theA-A line and the C-C plane, such as, for example, between about 30° toabout 60°. In the exemplary implementation shown in FIG. 8A, the angle Θof the holes 75 a in the upper quadrant I are around 40° from A-A lineas measured from the point of intersection with the upper surface 72,and the angle α of the holes 75 b in the lower quadrant II are around30° from the A-A line as measured from the point of intersection withthe lower surface 73. In other implementations, the angles Θ and α maybe substantially the same as measured from their respective points ofintersection. And, in yet another implementation, there may be one setof holes disposed along the intersection of the plane C-C with the innerradial side surface 74, which is about 90° from the A-A line as measuredfrom the point of intersection with the upper 72 or lower surface 73.Furthermore, the interior surface of the holes 75 may be smooth orthreaded.

Having holes directed generally toward the solid fuel being combustedfacilitates the flow of air toward the solid fuel to improve combustionand assists with directing the flow of heat resulting from thecombustion toward the cooking area above it. In addition, the flow ofair from the conduit 22 assists with the flow of combustion gases andair-borne particulate toward the hood 31. The perforated conduit 22 mayalso include legs 24 that extend downwardly from a lower surface of theconduit 22 to raise the conduit 22 off of a bottom surface of a cookingarea, which allows for more air flow around the conduit 22 and the solidfuel being combusted in the cooking area. Thus, air is forced by the fan29 through the flexible conduit 25, insulated handle 23, heat-resistantconduit 21, and perforated conduit 22 and out through the holes definedin perforated conduit 22 to assist with combustion of the solid fuel andconvection of the heat resulting from the combustion.

To allow the perforated conduit 22 to be disposed close to or surroundedby the solid fuels being combusted, the perforated conduit 22 andheat-resistant conduit 21 may be made of stainless steel, ceramic, orother suitable heat-resistant material. Thus, the perforated conduit 22may be disposed in direct contact at least a portion of the solid fuelbeing combusted to provide air at the point of combustion for the solidfuel mass that is in direct contact with the conduit 22. The conduit 22also provides air close to the point of combustion for the surroundingsolid fuel mass. The conduit 21 may be about ½-1 inches in diameter, forexample. The perforated conduit 22 may be ring shaped with the inlet endextending from one side of the ring, and the ring may have a diameter ofaround 4-8 inches.

Although FIG. 4 illustrates a ring-shaped perforated conduit 22, theperforated conduit may have other suitable shapes, such as a C orU-shape as shown in FIG. 9, a D-shape as shown in FIG. 10, or a squareshape (not shown). In each of these implementations, the holes aredirected toward a central combustion zone adjacent the inner radial sidesurface 74 of the perforated conduit 22, and the perforated conduit isin fluid communication with the distal end of the heat-resistant conduit21.

The flexible conduit 25 may be formed of galvanized steel, for example,or other suitable material for guiding air from the housing 26 towardthe perforated conduit 22. In addition, the flexible conduit 25 may bearound ¾-1 inches in diameter, for example. The conduit 25 may also bearound 36 inches long. The insulated handle may be made of aheat-resistant material and include a non-conductive coating around anouter diameter thereof to allow a user to move the conduits 21, 22around the solid fuel burning area without burning the user. The powercord 27 may be a 12 VDC electrical plug, and the housing 26 may alsoinclude a light indicating that power is being supplied to the housing26. In addition, the legs 24, which are made of a heat-resistantmaterial, may be about ¼-½ inches in diameter and about 1-2 inches long.

The cooking device 15 provides combustion efficiency gains of about 25to about 50% and decreases emissions by about 25% to 50%, according tocertain implementations. However, the gains and decreases in emissionsmay be higher or lower depending on the components used and the solidfuel used. This improvement in combustion efficiency reduces the amountof fuel needed for cooking, which reduces the amount of time members ofthe household have to spend collecting the solid fuel. Furthermore, thecooking device 15 does not require any major modification to traditionalstove design or cooking methods that may used in various parts of theworld, making it more attractive to the people in those areas. Inaddition, by decreasing emissions by assisting with combustion using thecooking device 15 and facilitating the movement out of the cooking areaand dwelling of combustion by-product gases and particulates using theexhaust hood device 15, the people using the system 10 immediatelynotice and appreciate better air quality and improved cooking.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic of the water tank 18, water capturingfunnel 19, and water purification device 16 according to oneimplementation. The water tank 18 may be a generally cylindrical hollowbody configured for holding about 100 to about 125 gallons of water. Thetank 18 may have a length L₁₈ of about 85 inches and a diameter D₁₈ ofabout 12 inches. A controller housing 48 may be secured adjacent a wallof the tank 18. In addition, the tank 18 defines an outlet opening 53spaced above a bottom surface 58 of the tank 18. The outlet opening 53may be about 1 inch in diameter and may be spaced about 12 inches abovethe bottom surface 58 of the tank 18. The tank 18 also include a flushoutlet and valve 52 disposed adjacent the bottom surface 58 of the tank18 for allowing the tank to be selectively drained and flushed outthrough the flush outlet and valve 52 periodically. The flush outlet andvalve 52 may have a diameter of about 1 inch. An upper wall 59 of thewater tank 18 defines an opening through which water may enter the tank.For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the upper wall 59 terminates at theopening. In other implementations (not shown), an annular shaped surfacemay extend radially inwardly from the upper edge of the vertical walland define an opening through which water may flow into the tank 18.

The water capturing funnel 19 may be generally frusto-conical shaped andhave an inlet end 60 and an outlet end 61. The inlet end 60, which facesupwardly to capture rainwater and other water being manually poured intothe funnel 19, has a diameter D₆₀ of about 13 to about 16 feet (e.g.,about 14.75 feet), and the outlet end 61 has a diameter D₆₁ of about 12inches. The funnel 19 may be formed of a collapsible and expandablematerial, such as corrugated plastic, metal, coated fabric, or acombination thereof. In the implementation shown in FIG. 6, the funnel19 may include rigid support posts 62 that extend radially outwardlyfrom the outlet end 61 and a coated fabric material 63 that is attachedto and extends over the support posts 62. For example, in oneimplementation, the fabric may be a rip-stop nylon material with a UVinhibitor coating.

As shown in FIG. 7, a flexible photovoltaic material 90 may be disposedon at least a portion of surface of the collapsible funnel 19, such asan inner (or concave) surface 63. This flexible photovoltaic material 90may be provided instead of or in addition to the solar panels 12 a, 12 bshown in FIG. 1. The flexible photovoltaic material 90 may be anysuitable type of photovoltaic fabric, panel, film, or paint that issufficiently thin and flexible to be disposed on the funnel 19 andwithstand collapsing the funnel 19 during packaging and expanding thefunnel 19 during installation. For example, the flexible solar filmsdisclosed on the following website may be suitable:

-   -   http://www.powerfilmsolar.com/about/technology/    -   http://www.ifaipublications.com/iaa/articles/2914_solar.html        In addition, the solar paints, such as those disclosed on the        following websites, may be suitable:    -   http://www.cleantechnica.com/2013/05/15/caution-wet-solar-power-new-affordable-solar-paint-research/    -   http://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Solar-PaintThe-Next-Big-Thing.html    -   http://www.cnet.com/news/new-nanotech-quantum-dots-to-make-solar-cells-lighter-cheaper/        The flexible solar material 90 may provide about 400 to about        1600 watts of power, for example. Furthermore, by lining the        interior, or incident, surface 63 of the funnel 19 with flexible        solar material 90, at least some portion of the material 90 is        likely to be facing the sun for much of the day. For example, a        collection rate of about 40% or greater may be possible for the        material 90 depending on the season and latitude of the location        of the funnel 19.

A screen 45 is disposed between the inlet end 59 of the water tank 18and the outlet end 61 of the funnel 19 to prevent debris from enteringthe water tank 18. The screen 45 may be a disc-shaped screen having alength L₄₅ of about 4 inches, and a diameter D₄₅ of about 21 inches, andit may be made of stainless steel, galvanized expanded metal, or othersuitable material. The screen 45 may also define an opening 64 on aninlet side 65 thereof that is configured for receiving a post 46 thatextends from a lower surface adjacent the outlet end 61 of the funnel19. The post 46 may be about 2 inches in diameter. The engagement of thepost 46 within the opening 64 secures the funnel 19 to the upper opening59 of the tank 18. However, it should be understood that thisarrangement is exemplary and other suitable engagement mechanisms may beused.

The water purification device 16 includes a screened inlet opening 51that connects to the outlet 53 of the tank 18, a pump 49 disposedupstream of the inlet opening 51 configured for pressurizing waterflowing from the tank 18 through the water purification device 16, amechanical filtration device 54, a conduit 57 extending between the pumpand a mechanical filtration device 54, an ultra-violet lightpurification device 55, and an outlet valve/spigot 56. The screenedinlet opening 51 may be made from perforated PVC piping, for example.The pump 49 is electrically powered by the battery 13. The pump may be abrushless, DC powered pump, such as the Zhonglong pump shown athttp://zhonglongpump.en.made-in-china.com/product/RbdmgHuVgnDX/China-Brushless-DC-Warm-Water-Pump.html

The conduit 57 extending between the pump 49 and the mechanicalfiltration device 57 may include typical PVC water piping, such asschedule 40. The mechanical filtration device 54 may include rocks,sand, charcoal, and/or other filter medium for filtering out certainparticulates and organisms from the water flowing therethrough. And, theultra-violet (UV) light purification device 55 uses electrical powerfrom the battery 13 to irradiate water flowing therethrough with UVlight to kill other organisms (e.g., viruses or harmful bacteria) thatmay not be captured in the mechanical filtration device 54. The UVdevice 55 may include relatively low power consuming light emittingdiodes and/or compact fluorescent bulbs (e.g., 3-15 watt diodes orbulbs) so that UV purification can be provided on a small scale usingthe solar energy captured by the panels 12 a, 12 b and stored in battery13.

Treating water on a micro (e.g., household) scale has been difficulttraditionally due to very small viruses found in many water sourcesaround the world. Although mechanical filtration (e.g., sand, rocks,carbon, filter mediums, etc.) can adequately sanitize some watersources, organisms and viruses below about 1 to about 2 micrometers insize tend to pass through. For this reason, additional sanitationtechniques (e.g., chemical treatment, heat, etc.) may be used with themechanical filtration to provide a device that is suitable forsanitizing any water source globally. Chemical treatments are costly,can be dangerous if the added amounts are not carefully monitored, andmay not be feasible in remote regions in which supply chains do notexist. Likewise, heat treatments (e.g., boiling) require time and energythat may not be feasible to provide to remote regions or to numeroushouseholds. Thus, UV light sterilization powered by solar power providesa safe, effective, and easily distributable method of sanitizing water.

As shown in FIG. 3 and described above, several of the componentsdescribed above are collapsible such that they may be disposed, ornested, within the interior of the water tank 18 for shipping to varioushouseholds or communities. Other components that are not easilycollapsible may be sized such that they fit within the water tank 18 forease of shipping and a reduction of packaging. The battery 13 may beprovided separately onsite, such as with car batteries or otherbatteries that may be repurposed for use with the system 10.

Thus, the system 10 provides a combined solution to various issuesfacing households in areas that do not have reliable access to safecooking fuels, adequate ventilation, safe water supply, or electricity.This combined solution approach allows the system 10 to be commerciallyviable from a return on investment perspective. In particular, byproviding multiple benefits in one system, the costs associated withsolving each individual problem are reduced. In addition, this systemmay be integrated more easily in existing households, making it a moreviable solution. This system may also be helpful in disaster recovery orrefugee situations in which large populations of displaced people facedisruption of basic services and similar health threats.

The dimensions listed in relation to the above described figures areexemplary only and should not be used to limit the scope of theinvention unless otherwise specified. In addition, the Appendix filedwith the specification and drawings of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/004,694, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference above,includes a description of an exemplary implementation of the system,which is referred to as “Tree of Life 1.0.” However, this implementationshould not be used to limit the scope of the claims as it is only oneexample of how the system may be implemented.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art. Methods and materials similar or equivalent to those describedherein can be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosure.As used in the specification, and in the appended claims, the singularforms “a,” “an,” “the” include plural referents unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. The term “comprising” and variations thereofas used herein is used synonymously with the term “including” andvariations thereof and are open, non-limiting terms.

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”,and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony withthe common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art towhich the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should beunderstood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure thatthese terms are intended to allow a description of certain featuresdescribed and claimed without restricting the scope of these features tothe precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms shouldbe interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequentialmodifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimedare considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in theappended claims.

It should be noted that the term “exemplary” as used herein to describevarious embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments arepossible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possibleembodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that suchembodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

The terms “coupled,” “connected,” “attached,” and the like as usedherein mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable(e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with thetwo members or the two members and any additional intermediate membersbeing integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another orwith the two members or the two members and any additional intermediatemembers being separately formed and attached to one another.

References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,”“above,” “below,” etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation ofvarious elements in the figures. It should be noted that the orientationof various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments,and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the presentdisclosure.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of thesystem as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrativeonly. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail inthis disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosurewill readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g.,variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions ofthe various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, useof materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departingfrom the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter describedherein. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may beconstructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements maybe reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discreteelements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence ofany process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according toalternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes andomissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions andarrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing fromthe scope of the present embodiments.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing the claims.

1.-30. (canceled)
 31. A solar energy and water collecting devicecomprising a frusto-conically shaped funnel, the funnel comprising anupper, inlet end having a first radius, a lower, outlet end having asecond radius, and an inner surface extending between the inlet end andthe outlet end, wherein: the first radius is larger than the secondradius, the outlet end defines a hole through which water incident onthe inner surface passes, at least a portion of the inner surfacecomprises a photovoltaic material, the photovoltaic material configuredfor collecting solar energy incident on the material, and the funnel iscollapsible and expandable about a central axis extending through acenter of the first end and the second end.
 32. The device of claim 31,further comprising a water tank, the water tank comprising a bottomsurface and a cylindrically shaped side wall extending upwardly from thebottom surface, and the water tank defining an opening adjacent an upperedge of the side wall, wherein the frusto-conically shaped funnel isconfigured to be disposed adjacent the opening and for capturing rainwater and funneling the captured rain water into the opening.
 33. Thedevice of claim 32, further comprising a water purification device,wherein the water tank defines an outlet on a side wall thereof, theoutlet being in fluid communication with the water purification device.34. The device of claim 32, wherein the upper edge of the side walldefines the opening.
 35. The device of claim 32, wherein an annularshaped surface extends radially inwardly from the upper edge of the sidewall and defines the opening.
 36. The device of claim 31, furthercomprising a battery in electrical communication with the photovoltaicmaterial.
 37. The device of claim 36, further comprising an outlet plugin electrical communication with the battery and one or more batteryoperated devices, the outlet plug configured for providing electricalenergy from the battery to the one or more battery operated devices. 38.The device of claim 37, wherein the one or more battery operated devicescomprise one or more light-emitting diode (LED) lights.